www.companyofscientists.com/index.php/chd  e1  Cancer Health Disparities 

COMMENTRY 

FIRST STRIKE: A Vietnam War Veteran and 

Prostate Cancer Survivor 
Bill Ward 

Corresponding author’s email: lamar2@cox.net 

ABSTRACT 
Mr. Bill Ward is Native community health advocate with a personal goal of enhancing cancer knowledge 

among American Indian men regarding screening. As a cancer survivor and a veteran, Mr. Ward 

provides essential stories in creating a supportive environment in both prevention and survivorship. Bill’s 

story in his own words that follow were intended to share as an outreach activity supported by Spirit of 

Eagles, Community Networks Program (NCI U54 153605). 

 

KEYWORDS: Prostate, cancer, survivor, veterans 

 

Citation: Ward B (2018) First strike: The voice of a prostate cancer survivor. Cancer Health Disparities 2: e1-

e2. doi:10.9777/chd.2018.10010 

 

  



 
 
 
 
 

 

www.companyofscientists.com/index.php/chd  e2  Cancer Health Disparities 

COMMENTRY 

The First Strike: I like to use the Frist Strike analogy 

from a military perspective to define my battle with 

prostate cancer. I do this in my way, my words, to 

share a difficult story that I hope resonates with others. 

Reconnaissance: 

At the start of my battle with prostate cancer, I 

noticed some pain in the most sacred part of my 

body. My training as a soldier has never allowed 

the enemy the first shot at taking me out. By 

instinct, I preferred to be the aggressor as 

opposed to sitting back and being the defender. 

This is where my first strike occurred- getting 

checked by the doctor. I would relate my next 

steps of further investigation of this pain and its 

cause to a Reconnaissance (Recon) phase. It was 

during Recon that I began to understand and 

strategize against my enemy. This first strike was a 

pro-active move intended to subvert the enemy’s 

attempt to succeed by using the element of 

surprise, all the while, advancing slowly in order to 

make it difficult for me to win this long battle. 

Preparing for Combat: 

Conferring with my allies and ultimately getting a 

prostate biopsy based on the PSA (Prostate-

Specific Antigen) blood test reading, I was able to 

catch my enemy at an early stage. With further 

research and consultation with my Recon team 

that included experts and those I trusted, i.e., 

doctors and family; I was presented with all 

available weapons of choice in terms of helping 

me win this battle. All this information, while 

overwhelming, increased my confidence as I 

prepared to go into combat. 

From the onset, my training and personality prevented 

me from implementing a “watch and wait” approach. I 

had no interest in gauging how aggressive the enemy 

was going to be, or if it would retreat. 

Going into Battle: 

In fact, it was of little interest to me to engage in 

the equivalent of a “fire fight” by using radioactive 

treatment options. That was a personal choice, for 

I knew I had to do something that would give me 

complete peach of mind. Therefore I opted to use 

my own choice of weapon, a bomb called the 

DaVinci robotic-assisted surgical machine for a 

radical prostatectomy. 

After the “bomb” was dropped, the Radical Surgery 

tissue samples were sent to the hospital’s Department of 

Pathology to evaluate and assess for the presence of 

cancer cells “my enemy” outside the prostate gland. 

Upon analysis, it was determined that indeed there were 

no cancer cells outside of territory-the prostate. When 

you are engaged in a battle for life, superior firepower is 

a game changer and is exactly what I chose to use in 

order to win this battle against the Prostate Cancer. 

Debriefing Highlights: 

Early detection of the disease allowed me to catch and 

defeat the enemy before it spread to a larger area and 

possibly outside of my prostate. Remaining alert to 

changes in my body, and ready to act when 

threatened, and entering my battle with a skilled and 

supportive Recon team proved essential” 

THAT VICTORY IS NOW 13 YEARS OLD. 

Don’t let the enemy catch you sleeping! 

Man-up and get yourself checked. 

“Nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream, and 

sometimes it’s a bad dream.” Get checked!! 

Editor comment:  

The voice of survivors is crucial to improving 

cancer awareness, early detection and successful 

treatment for Native American cancer patients. Bill 

Ward is a wonderful advocate. His take-home 

message is to seek out the best information and 

choose a treatment that fits your personal situation 

and goals. His choice may not be every man’s nor 

every Native man’s choice but the story is 

supportive of doing what is necessary to become a 

strong fighter “survivor”. JSKaur, Guest Editor